Department says it is reducing contracted security use and expanding training for school monitors

Committee members raised questions about security services and school monitors after testimony showed no disbursements for some security accounts and nearly $1.4 million referenced for district security costs.

Commissioner Deionne Wells Hedrington said some security services were previously funded by ARPA and that the department is reducing its usage of an outside contractor, Ranger America, as cameras are installed at campuses. “We are reducing our usage of Ranger America for any more services since we've installed cameras or in the process of installing cameras,” she said, characterizing the contract as an additional cost after ARPA funding ended.

Victor Som III, identified in testimony as assistant commissioner, described expanded professional development for school monitors. “Every time teachers and administrators have professional development, so will monitors,” Som said, adding training topics include de-escalation, conflict resolution and social-emotional wellness.

Som told senators the department is using on-island resources to deliver training, citing the Bureau of Corrections, the Virgin Islands Police Department and the Department of Health as local partners. “We are pumping in a tremendous amount of professional development to attempt to professionalize our school monitors,” he said.

Senators asked to review the training curriculum; Som agreed to share it. Lawmakers also questioned who paid for certain referenced security disbursements; Wells said some services had been covered by ARPA and that conversations with OMB are ongoing about mandatory security costs.

No formal committee votes were taken; senators requested the department provide the training curriculum and clarify funding sources for past security expenditures.